Northern Ireland v Cyprus (12/06/2020)

KOSOVO EDGE PAST NORTHERN IRELAND

WORDS: NIGEL T ILSON

Northern Ireland were defeated 3-2 by Kosovo in an entertaining UEFA Nations League game in Pristina on Thursday. Kosovo dominated the match for long spells, however Ian Baraclough’s team kept battling away and could arguably have nicked a point in the closing stages when they put the home side under sustained pressure. Alain Giresse’s charges produced some slick interplay in front of circa 11,000 fans - including 500 from Northern Ireland - at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri. Kosovo, who had previously beaten Cyprus and lost to Greece in the group, took the lead through a penalty in the ninth minute. Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis tripped Milot Rashica just inside the area and Vedat Muriqi stepped up to stroke the ball home. Jonny Evans, George Saville and Daniel Ballard all had chances before Kosovo went two up on 20 minutes through Zymer Bytyqi. Peacock-Farrell produced a splendid save to deny F lorent Muslija before Northern Ireland pulled a goal back as half-time approached. Brodie Spencer, making his first start for the senior team, sped down the right and clipped the ball to the back post where Shayne Lavery was on hand to head it into the net from two yards.

Kosovo got their third on 52 minutes through Muriqi, while Northern Ireland made it 3-2 in the 83rd minute. Jordan Thompson whipped in a free-kick and Ballard scored with a powerful header. In the closing stages McMenamin had an effort blocked, Ballard put a header wide and Conor Bradley shot over the top. Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell , Brodie Spencer, Ciaran McMenamin, Daniel Ballard, Jonny Evans, Ciaron Brown, Alistair McCann, Steven Davis, Shayne Lavery, Kyle Lafferty, George Saville. Substitutes: (used) Gavin Whyte, Dion Charles, Shea Charles, Jordan Thompson, Conor Bradley; (not used) Luke Southwood, Trevor Carson, Paddy Lane, Niall McGinn, Caolan Boyd-Munce, Alfie McCalmont , Liam Donnelly. Kosovo: Samir Ujkani, Lirim Kastrati, Mirlind Kryeziu, Milot Rashica, F lorent Muslija, Donat Rrudhani, Amir Rrahmani (captain) , Valon Berisha, Vedat Muriqi, Ibrahim Dresevic, Zymer Bytyqi. Substitutes: Visar Bekaj (GK) , Betim Fazliji, Arber Zenelli, Emir Sahiti, Benjamin Kololli, F lorian Loshaj, Blendi Idrizi, Toni Domg joni.

3-2

59 10 06 02 13

41 10 03 06 09

POSSESSION % SHOTS SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE C GROUP 2 09-06-2022 STADIUMI FADIL VOKRRI, PRISTINA, KOSOVO

IRISHFA.COM

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